Slowing user growth saw Twitters stocks tumble 10 per cent in after-hours trading, despite decent revenue growth disclosed in its Q3 financial results.

The dip in user growth was especially disappointing given the World Cup, which Twitter and investors hoped would see propel the social network to a new level of relevancy. While Monthly Average Users was up to 284m, an increase of 4.8 per cent from Q2 (when most of the tournament occurred), the service attracted fewer new users than it did in the first or second quarters.

Revenues for the company were up, at $361m (£224m) and $0.01 earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis, ahead of Wall Streets expectations and up 114 per cent year-on-year, but the slowing user growth was a more important factor for investors, and triggered a considerable sell-off of shares in the company.

Mobile advertising continued to be its highest-earning stream, with 85 per cent of revenues drawn from mobile ad sales, up 109 per cent year-on-year. However, slowing user growth places a ceiling on these ad revenues – if it is to continue to see revenue growth, Twitter needs to reach new consumers and turn them into dedicated users.